an accidental "top eleven"

take one archaic mp3 player. lose it in south america. add one bright, shiny new digital walkman, complete with crappy software apparently 'necessary' for operation. simmer together while re-categorizing an entire music collection. end up with an appreciation for the varied and amazing music you've been blessed with.

therefore, (since i have now waded through every one of the 3466 mp3s i just added to my new player, and since a "top eleven songs list" would be impossible) i have decided to throw out a "top eleven albums list" for my own enjoyment. you may agree. you probably won't. just remember, these are albums that just fit nicely into MY life. so no arguing.

the rules:
-these albums are playable straight through with no feeling of needing to skip ahead
-they are more than likely from artists that rank at or near the top of my list of great artists
-"great", in cadeland, often equates with sittng in a darkened room with a group of friends saying little and listening to much
-i have a theory that if the 4th and/or 7th track is good, the album has a serious shot at greatness. (check it out some time)

so, in no particular order:

1) dulcinea - toad the wet sprocket (1994) - they are my favorite band. this is my favorite of their albums. it's that simple. i love every song on this disc (even the once annoying last track.) besides, before the mp3 revolution, i went through 3 copies of it. that says something. choice cut: #1 fly from heaven

2) under rug swept - alanis morissette (2002) - she started producing her own stuff, and the result was this magic rollercoaster of highs and lows. from a gripping start (21 things i want in a lover)to a whimpering finish (utopia), it covers everything. choice cut: #10 surrendering

3) the joshua tree - U2 (1987) - a classic. a classic. a classic. what is not to love? it plays out like a search for life itself. even the 80's and the ubiquitous presence of the band since it's release can't tarnish this baby. choice cut: #7 in god's country

4) the bends - radiohead (1995) - some would argue they have better albums, but i have a special connection to this one. this is the point when a "pretty-cool british alternative" band, became one of the most influencial music acts in my life. choice cuts: #4 fake plastic trees and #7 just (just listen to the difference and dream of what's to come)

5) to chase away the birds - waterdeep (1995) - granted they are friends of mine and not many people outside my sphere know who they are, but noteriety does not dictate their importance. this, the first album under the name "waterdeep" was just 5 ridiculously talented musicians learning what it was to make music. musically and lyrically rich beyond what any indie album should be. one part pure rock 'n' roll, another part soulful folk-ballad, chase hits every point masterfully. choice cut: #7 everybody's guilty

6) automatic for the people - REM (1992) - the ultimate in happy/brooding-college albums. arguably, the pinnacle of their career arc (along with out of time and monster.) few records have such a distinct memory set for me as this jewel from a time i hope i never forget. choice cut: #6 sweetness follows

7) this beautiful mess - sixpence none the richer (1995) - heartbreaking. exhilerating. fantastic. three words that only scratch the surface of this disc. if sixpence's albums can all truly be considered works of art worthy of display in a gallery, this would be the centerpiece of the collection. choice cut: #4 within a room somewhere

8) magical mystery tour - the beatles (1966) - just to prove that i am not just a child of the 80s. i've never done acid, but i can see every color that the fab four did when i listen to this over-whelming record. that they could grab a bitter kid from the midwest almost 40 years later, goes only to prove their influence and importance. choice cut: #7 hello goodbye

9) circle slide - the choir (1990) - this impossibly beautiful offering from one of the most unique and auditorially-rich bands ever. it's a shame that only the most die-hard of 80s-90s christian music circles know this group. circle slide is the choir at their melodic and ambient best. choice cut: #6 about love (anyone who knows me, knows this song destroys me every time.)

10) patience - over the rhine (1992) - soaring vocals, backed by musical soundscapes worthy of the candle-lit tent in which i first encountered this group live. patience was my foray into the world of karen and linford and the unbelievable beauty that follows them. choice cuts: #1 jacksie and #4 how does it feel

11) ben folds five - ben folds five (1995) - for the sheer fun of it. i loved this quirky trio the first time i heard them. this debut is full of colorful characters and loads of distortion on robert sledge's bass. delightful and fun, the boys live up to their self-proclaimed "punk-rock for sissys" ideal, and i love it. choice cut: of course #6 underground

honorable mentions:

a) earth and sun and moon - midnight oil (1993) - another of my favorite bands. i felt they deserved a shot.

b) VOL - vigilantes of love (1996) - packed full of many of my favorite songs by mallonee and gang. but it's a compilation. albeit a damn fine one at that.

c) fear - toad the wet sprocket (1991) - wore out 2 copies of this one as well. if it weren't for the why-is-this-the-only-one-they-play-on-the-radio song, all i want, this would have made the big list too.